Hydraulic steering...

[AngryJosh]

Like the big boys. Why cant we run hydraulic steering? Maybe a single ram setup, or dual. Is there a reason we cant? I mean I'm sick of these stupid ass steering CABLES!!! Tell me if this has been done; and if not...then why not? I'm imagining silky smooth steering :cool:

[Heatseeker]

Here's a photo of a clean hyd. steering set-up on a jet.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/36631417Transom-med.jpg
I don't remember who put it up, but this boat was on the board here a while back.
One draw back to the hyd. steering set-up is component cost. The helms don't come cheap!

[3 daytona`s]

Here's a photo of a clean hyd. steering set-up on a jet.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/36631417Transom-med.jpg
I don't remember who put it up, but this boat was on the board here a while back.
One draw back to the hyd. steering set-up is component cost. The helms don't come cheap!
Check out Calgo steering I love it. :)

[FOURQ]

Here's a photo of a clean hyd. steering set-up on a jet.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/36631417Transom-med.jpg
I don't remember who put it up, but this boat was on the board here a while back.
One draw back to the hyd. steering set-up is component cost. The helms don't come cheap!
the helms alone are $800

[Outlaw]

Worth every penny....

[Oldsquirt]

Check out Calgo steering I love it. :)
Before you call that "Calgo" steering you might want to take a closer look. :)
I believe this set up was created by Dave Batista, aka "SoCal Power".
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/36331417Transom.JPG

[SoCal Power]

the helms alone are $800
I designed and built this about 2 years ago.The boat belongs to Mike D. True, the system is pretty expensive. I posted the "off the shelf" part #s and prices in a thread awhile back.
db

[old rigger]

It'll be interseting to see some more pictures of Cregs new boat, cause it has some kind of hyd steering set up on it from way back in the 60's..
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/311260somethingjet3.JPG

[SoCal Power]

It'll be interesting to see some more pictures of Cregs new boat, cause it has some kind of hyd steering set up on it from way back in the 60's..
I'm curious about that too. Hopefully we'll see some more pics. What a sweet boat. Love the old school stuff
db

[DUCKY]

Most of the off the shelf hydraulic (IMCO, Mayfair, Capilano) stuff is gross overkill on a jet, since there is no real load on the steering system. One could easily use parts offered by sea-star to make their own system, for probably under $1000, but it will be like 3.5 turns lock to lock. I still think that the Calgo "loaded cable" setup is the way to go on a jet, because they are like 1 to 1.5 turns lock to lock.

[SoCal Power]

Most of the off the shelf hydraulic (IMCO, Mayfair, Capilano) stuff is gross overkill on a jet, since there is no real load on the steering system. One could easily use parts offered by sea-star to make their own system, for probably under $1000, but it will be like 3.5 turns lock to lock. I still think that the Calgo "loaded cable" setup is the way to go on a jet, because they are like 1 to 1.5 turns lock to lock.
I agree, Ducky............The key is helm displacement vs. cylinder bore/stroke. I used a sea star helm for the system shown above with a 2.5 c.i./rev displacement and 3/4" X 3" cylinders. Lock to Lock is 1 rev.

[flat broke]

After seeing Dave's setup, a So Cal boat MFG had thought about duplicating the setup on their jet drives. The setup was going to based around the SeaStar helm, and the the cylinders were being spec'd by a Bimba distributor. You can order up the cyinders in a wide variety of volumes(which will control the ratio), and configurations including shaft diameter, body diameter, material composition, so on and so forth. Buuuut if you deviate from an off the shelf offering, you will pay the price of one off parts.
If you do a search for the orriginal thread, Dave posted the specs and PN's as me mentioned above. The only downside to hydraulic setups is that over time the wheel returns to a different center position. I could see this being a problem for a drag guy who runs the strip of tape on the wheel to identify a straight nozzle orrientation. Though the easy workaround would be to double check the tape line in the pits prior to each run. If it's off, pull the tape and reinstall in the correct orrientation.
In addition to the clevis style mount that Dave used on his setup, you can order a trunion style base on the cyinder that would be pimp if you wanted to run a tight looking billet bracket to secure it to the transom. Instead of the cyilnder pivoting on a bolt, it would then pivot on the trunion and whatever base you made for it.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/280bimba.jpg
Chris

[wsuwrhr]

Trident boats is using a DUAL Hyd steering setup.
There are plenty of hoses running the jet setup. PM him, or maybe he will find this thread and respond.
Brian

[AngryJosh]

Thanks for all the replys so far. This has got to be the next upgrade

[Froggystyle]

We use a 2.5" Sea Star helm on ours and custom cylinders by Bimba. Our total lock to lock is around 2 turns, but is still stiff and confident. Not cheap, but literally a thousand times better than cables, which we had first. Smooth and predictable, I love it.
Here is a pic...
http://www.tridentboats.com/trident_boats_gallery/d/952-2/Drives.jpg

[SoCal Power]

Thanks for all the replys so far. This has got to be the next upgrade
Good luck with it. FB made some good points. Pay close attention to the cylinder volume vs. helm displacement and be sure the lines are rated for the pressure plus a safety factor. Also, as FB said, the wheel will creep over time. I have to say, that the feel & response of the steering is superior to any other jet steering I've used. Calgo is great too, just a matter of user preference and $$$$
Also, I like the tunnion mount idea.
Post some pics when you complete it, so we can do some R&D (aka Rob & Duplicate) :hammer2:
db

[Dogballs]

I have Calgo steering on my CP and I have to tighten the cables at the pump every other outing to keep the slop out of it. Does anyone know if this is normal?

[DUCKY]

I have Calgo steering on my CP and I have to tighten the cables at the pump every other outing to keep the slop out of it. Does anyone know if this is normal?
Something must be pulling loose. I had Calgo on my last v-drive, and once I set it up I never touched it again. I may be reaching here, but I would check the attachment points at both ends of each cable, and if you have never had a Calgo helm apart before, leave it to someone who has. They are a bitch!

[DUCKY]

I agree, Ducky............The key is helm displacement vs. cylinder bore/stroke. I used a sea star helm for the system shown above with a 2.5 c.i./rev displacement and 3/4" X 3" cylinders. Lock to Lock is 1 rev.
I'll bet that is nice to drive. I like quick steering.

[kingcole80]

Ive had hyd steering on one of my jets , since i built it, and no matter how hard i try i still have a small lag in the steering, i prefer the cable on my other never had a problem,

[Aluminum Squirt]

This isn't hydraulic but it looks like a very sanitary way to set up the steering. I'm sure it functions well too as its on a sprint hull and all they do is turn lock to lock. I'm not good enough to even post my own pictures, much less somebody else's, so here's a link, scroll part way down and you'll see the pics. Maybe BF will be kind enough to come over and explain a little more and post some more detailed photos-Aluminum Squirt
http://www.***boat.net/forums/showthread.php?t=127294

[bottom feeder]

If you would like to see any other pictures just let me know. The ratio is adjustable under the helm. Just simple levers. the ratio on mine is 1/4 turn lock to lock.

[Mike D.]

I'll bet that is nice to drive. I like quick steering.
thats what i like about it the most, it responds very quickly with little movement from side to side,
I have to say that I will build every boat i own with this type of steering, worth every penny

[3 daytona`s]

Before you call that "Calgo" steering you might want to take a closer look. :)
I believe this set up was created by Dave Batista, aka "SoCal Power".
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/36331417Transom.JPG
I don`t recall stating that was Calgo I`ve had three boats with it so have a vague idea what it looks like.Thanks for the help anyway. :rolleyes:

[Oldsquirt]

I don`t recall stating that was Calgo I`ve had three boats with it so have a vague idea what it looks like.Thanks for the help anyway. :rolleyes:
Wasn't sure if you were calling the setup pictured a Calgo,
but you did make the comment just after the pic of that
hydraulic setup was posted. Realized after the fact that
you were just stating you liked the Calgo system.
Didn't feel like bothering to change my post. :rolleyes:

[hondajoey]

http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/280bimba.jpg
there is a place here in phx called Apache Reclamation that has a shelf full of little hydraulic cylinders like this in all different sizes for cheap, i came across them while looking for some wire for my house